Posted on Apr 16, 2018 in 1 & 2 Corinthians: A Walk of Immaturity Into Maturity |
Read 1 Corinthians 6:9-20
Paul emphasizes God’s action in making believers new people. The three aspects of God’s work are all part of our salvation: Our sins were washed away, we were sanctified, or set apart for special use by God, and we have been justified, or made right with God.
Posted on Apr 13, 2018 in 1 & 2 Corinthians: A Walk of Immaturity Into Maturity |
Read 1 Corinthians 6:1-8
In chapter 5, Paul explained what to do with open immorality in the congregation. In chapter 6, he teaches how the congregation should handle smaller problems between believers. Society has set up a legal system in which disagreements can be resolved in courts. But Paul declares that Christians should not have to go to a secular court to resolve their differences. As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit and the mind of Christ, so why should we turn to those who lack God’s wisdom? Because of all that we have been given as believers, and because of the authority that we will have in the future to judge the world and the angels, we should be able to deal with disputes among ourselves (John 5; Revelation 3; 2 Peter 2; Jude 1).
Posted on Apr 12, 2018 in 1 & 2 Corinthians: A Walk of Immaturity Into Maturity |
Read 1 Corinthians 5:1-13
To cast this man into Satan’s hands means to exclude him from the fellowship of believers. Without the spiritual support of Christians, this man would be left alone with his sin and Satan, and perhaps this would drive him to repentance. “So that this sinful nature will be destroyed” states the hope that the experience would bring him to God and destroy his sinful nature through his turning from sin. Sinful nature could mean his body or flesh. This alternative translation would imply that Satan would afflict him physically and thus bring him to God. Putting someone out of the church should be a last resort in disciplinary action. It should not be done out of vengeance but out of love, just as parents punish children to correct and restore them. The church’s role should be to help, not hurt, offenders, motivating them to repent of their sins and to return to the fellowship of the church.
Posted on Apr 11, 2018 in 1 & 2 Corinthians: A Walk of Immaturity Into Maturity |
Read 1 Corinthians 4:1-21
Paul urged the Corinthians to think of him, and Apollos as mere servants of Christ entrusted with the secret things of God. A servant does what his master tells him to do. We must do what God tells us to do in the Bible and through His Holy Spirit. Each day God presents us with needs and opportunities that challenge us to do what we know is right.
Posted on Apr 10, 2018 in 1 & 2 Corinthians: A Walk of Immaturity Into Maturity |
Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-23
Paul called the Corinthians infants in the Christian faith because they were not spiritually healthy and mature. The proof was that they quarreled like children, allowing divisions to distract them. Immature Christians are worldly, controlled by their own desires; mature believers are in tune with God’s desires. How much influence do your desires have on your life? Your goal should be to let God’s desires be yours. Being controlled by your own desires will stunt your spiritual growth.
Paul planted the seed of the Gospel message in people’s hearts. He was a missionary pioneer; he brought the message of salvation. Apollos came along and watered the seed. He helped the believers grow stronger in the faith. Paul founded the church in Corinth, and Apollos built upon that foundation. Tragically, the believers in Corinth had split into factions, pledging loyalty to different teachers. After the preacher’s work is completed, God is the one who makes Christians grow. Our leaders should certainly be respected, but we should never place them on pedestals that create barriers between people or set them up as a substitute for Christ.
